■ verb
1》 act so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not.
↘engage in an imaginative game or fantasy.
↘simulate (an emotion or quality).
2》 ( ~ to ) lay claim to (a quality or title).
■ adjective informal imaginary; make-believe.
Origin
ME: from L. praetendere 'stretch forth, claim', from prae 'before' + tendere 'stretch'.